Preformed herbal cartridge

ABSTRACT

A preformed cartridge includes a tube. The tube has a length and diameter. The length is greater than the diameter. A plant component is sized to fit within the tube. The plant component is formed from a hardened slurry. The plant component is securely lodged within the tube. The plant component is a plant slurry injected into the tube while wet or can be a plant slurry pre-hardened in a mold before mounting inside the herb tube. The plant component further includes a heater insertion opening and a flow channel. The heater insertion opening is in communication with a flow channel. The flow channel extends along the length of the tube, and the heater insertion opening is parallel to the flow channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of cartridges in particular to apreformed herbal cartridge and a preparation method thereof.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of different preformed herbal cartridge products have beencreated for electronic use. At present, most of the common preformedherbal cartridges on the market are preformed herbal cartridge productsin which herb sheets are rolled into strips with cartridge paper. Thediameter of preformed herbal cartridges is relatively uniform. Mostpreformed herbal cartridges currently on the market are herb sheets arerolled into strips by cartridge paper, with the diameter relativelyuniform. However, the production of preformed herbal cartridgestraditionally used cigarette manufacturing equipment such asmulti-component cigarette makers. At the same time, there is a problemthat the cigarette paper is relatively soft, the support is poor, theherb is easily taken out from the other port of the nozzle, and theinternal herb is unevenly distributed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a preformed herbalcartridge and a preparation method thereof, so as to solve the problemthat the existing cigarette manufacturing methods is not good forpreformed herbal cartridges. The herb is easily released from the otherport of the nozzle, and the internal herb is unevenly distributed. Toachieve the object, the present invention provides a preformed cartridgecomprising a tube and a plant component assembly. The tube is used topreset the shape and size of the cartridges. After the components areuniformly mixed, the forming component is filled in the herb tube andthe plant component in the herb tube is not easily detached. The plantcomponent is combined with the herb tube to form a finished cartridgeproduct.

The tube presets the diameter and length of the cartridge. The plantcomponent is in the form of a herb slurry, and the plant component ispoured into the herb pipe. The plant component is in the form of a herbslurry, and the plant component is introduced into a mold and moldedinto the herb pipe. A heating body insertion opening and an air flowchannel are reserved in the herb pipe. The heating body insertionopening is for inserting a heating body into the herb pipe, and the airflow channel is used for airflow into and out of the herb pipe. Theheating body insertion opening is in communication with the air flowchannel or the hot body insertion opening and the air flow channel aredisposed in parallel. The plant component is in the form of a sheet intowhich the plant component is encased. The plant component is in the formof a solid powder or granules sprayed onto the herb tube or filled inthe herb tube. The tube can be sealed using a material such as afrangible sticker or other gas permeable structural member. A liningmesh is installed in the tube to prevent the plant component from beingdetached. Plant slurry is created by grinding or chopping herbs andmixing them with a liquid or gel binder such as glycerin.

The cartridge may also have a filter component or a perfuming component.The cooling assembly can be in the shape of a spiral. The outer wall ofthe tube can be printed with different colors or patterns. The herbingredient component may include one or more of herb, flavor, herbextract, herb extract, cellulose, and other plant ground products orpowders. A method of making preformed cartridges includes the steps ofpre-forming a herb pipe. The herb tube is for presetting the shape andsize of the cartridge. Providing a plant component for loading the plantcomponent into the herb tube. The plant component is uniformly mixed toform a component filled in the herb tube and the plant component in theherb tube is not easily detached. The plant component is combined withthe herb tube to form a finished cartridge product.

The tube 11 determines the diameter and length of the cartridge.Preferably, the plant component 12 is made using a herb slurry that ispoured or injected into the tube 11. Alternatively, the plant component11 is made using a herb slurry introduced into a mold which is thendried in the mold and then inserted into the herb tube. Thus, the herbslurry can be introduced into the tube 11 before or after drying.

Preferably, a heater insertion opening 13 and a flow channel 14 areformed on the plant component 12. The heater insertion opening 13 ispreferably a cylindrical opening to receive a cylindrical heater needle.The heater needle heats to heat the plant component 12. The plantcomponent 12 can be is formed of a rolled sheet and encased in the herbtube.

Optionally, the plant component 12 also made as a solid powder orgranules that is sprayed on the inner wall of the herb tube or filled inthe herb tube. Alternatively, an end of the tube 11 can be sealed usinga material such as a frangible sticker or other gas permeable structuralmember. The frangible sticker can be a fragile sheet of adhesive paperin the shape of an endcap. Optionally, a lining mesh is installed in thetube to prevent the plant component from being detached.

A preformed cartridge includes a tube. The tube has a length anddiameter. The length is greater than the diameter. A plant component issized to fit within the tube. The plant component is formed from ahardened slurry. The plant component is securely lodged within the tube.The plant component is a plant slurry injected into the tube while wetor can be a plant slurry pre-hardened in a mold before mounting insidethe herb tube. The plant component further includes a heater insertionopening and a flow channel. The heater insertion opening is incommunication with a flow channel. The flow channel extends along thelength of the tube, and the heater insertion opening is parallel to theflow channel.

The plant component is formed from a sheet shape. The plant component isin the form of a solid powder or granules, and the plant component isformed by being sprayed onto an inside surface of the tube. The tube issealed with a frangible cover. The lining mesh is mounted within thetube to prevent detachment of the herb component. The cartridge includesa cooling baffle, a filter assembly, or a perfuming component. Thecooling assembly has a cooling baffle, and the cooling baffle includesan inside spiral and an outside spiral. The plant component includesground herb, ground hemp, flavoring, herb extract, and cellulose.

A preformed cartridge has a tube. The tube is configured with a lengthand diameter. The length is greater than the diameter. A plant componentis sized to fit within the tube. The plant component is formed from ahardened slurry, and the plant component is securely lodged within thetube. The plant component is a plant slurry injected into the tube whilewet, or the plant component is a plant slurry pre-hardened in a moldbefore mounting inside the herb tube. The plant component furtherincludes a heater insertion opening and a flow channel. The heaterinsertion opening is in communication with a flow channel. The flowchannel extends along the length of the tube, and the heater insertionopening is parallel to the flow channel. The cartridge includes acooling baffle, a filter assembly, or a perfuming component.

A preformed cartridge can be made by the steps of: forming a cartridgetube with a predetermined diameter and length; and forming a plantcomponent from a plant slurry. The plant slurry has a binder. The plantslurry is injected into the herb tube. The binder maintains thestructural integrity of the plant component and binds the plantcomponent to the herb tube. The plant component has a plant componentupper end and a plant component lower end.

The next step is forming a heater insertion opening and a flow channel.Preferably there is a step of sealing the plant component lower end witha frangible cover. There can also be a step of installing a lining meshto the plant component upper end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a preformed cartridge branchaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a preformed cartridge branchwith a heating body insertion opening and an air flow passage accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of a prefabricated cartridgebranch provided with a cooling assembly according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of the preformed cartridge supportprovided with a frangible sticker, a lining mesh, and a perfumingassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a method for preparing the preformedcartridge branch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide for inreferencing the element numbers of the drawings.

-   11 Tube-   12 Plant Component-   13 Heater Insertion Opening-   14 Flow Channel-   15 Cooling Baffle-   16 Perfuming Component-   17 Lining Mesh-   18 Frangible Cover-   21 Heater Insert Opening Beveled Surface-   22 Flow Channel Edge Wall-   23 Flow Channel Connection-   24 Flow Channel Right Sidewall-   25 Flow Channel Left Sidewall-   26 Flow Channel Corner-   27 Point Component Inside Corner-   31 Cooling Baffle Outside Edge-   32 Cooling Baffle Opening-   33 Outside Spiral-   34 Inside Spiral-   35 Spiral Struts-   36 Plant Component Lower End-   37 Plant Component Upper End-   38 Airstream-   41 First Fold-   42 Second Fold-   43 Third Fold-   44 Perfuming Component Lower Edge-   45 Lining Mesh Opening-   46 Frangible Cover Flap-   S1 First Step-   S2 Second Step-   S3 Third Step

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a preformed cartridge having a formedherb tube 11 and a plant component 12. The herb tube 11 is a paper tubethat defines the shape and size of the cartridge. The paper can be cardpaper or hemp paper. The plant component 12 is uniformly mixed andinterference fit and packed into the herb tube so that it is not easilydetached. The plant component is combined with the herb tube to form afinished cartridge product. The plant component is more uniformly mixed.The distribution in the herb tube is uniform and without detachment riskso that the manufacturing process is no longer limited by the cost andspace of large-scale specialized equipment. The present invention allowsmanufacturing of preformed cartridges of different shapes and sizes, andcan be applied to the production of multiple varieties and smallbatches.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a pre-formed cartridge according to anembodiment of the present invention. The preformed cartridge includes: aformed herb tube 11 and a plant component 12 with an airflow 38traveling upward. The herb tube 11 is used to preset the shape and sizeof the preformed cartridge. The plant component 12 is evenly distributedin the herb tube 11 and the herb at the inner wall of the herb tube 11.The component assembly 12 is in close contact with the inner wall of thepipe, and the plant component 12 is combined with the tube 11 to form afinished cartridge. Preferably, the shape of the herb tube 11 iscylindrical, but is not limited to this shape. The herb tube 11 definesthe diameter and length of the preformed cartridge. The diameters andlengths of the herb tube 11 in a batch or lot can all be different, withsome longer or shorter, and some with greater or smaller diameter.Uniformity of the herb tube 11 is not required in this production methodbecause the slurry can be injected into a variety of different tubesizes. The slurry can be formed by finely chopping plant material andmixing the plant material with a binder. Thus, the diameter and lengthof the tube 11 can be arbitrary, which is mainly determined according toactual needs. Preferably, the diameter of the herb tube 11 may rangefrom 5.8 mm to 7.9 mm. For example, the diameter of the herb tube may be5.8 mm, 7.2 mm, 7.7 mm, 7.8 mm or 7.9 mm. Preferably, the length of theherb tube may range from 40 mm to 80 mm; for example, the diameter ofthe herb tube may be 45 mm, 50 mm or 60 mm. Preferably, the length ofthe herb tube is between 30 mm to 80 mm. Different colors or patternsmay be printed on the outer wall of the herb tube 11 to diversify theappearance of the cartridge so that the cartridges have differentphysical dimension as well as different outward appearance to make itlook like all of the cartridges are unique and custom hand made.

The plant component 12 may include one or more of herb, hemp, flavor,herb extract, herb extract, cellulose, and other plant ground powders. Abinder can be introduced with the slurry to keep the plant component 12in cohesive physical structure. The plant component 12 receives afrangible cover 18.

The preformed cartridge can be used in low temperature non-combustionelectronic cartridges, which is in the form of a herb slurry. Further, amethod of loading the plant component 12 in the form of a herb slurryinto the herb tube includes, but is not limited to, merely injecting theherb slurry directly into the herb tube or introducing the plantcomponent into a mold. After molding, it is loaded into the herb pipe.Specifically, if the herb slurry is directly poured into the herb pipe,since the herb slurry is wet before pouring, and the herb tube is dry,the herb slurry is poured into the herb tube to be combined with thetwo, and a quick drying is required. The herb tube and the plantcomponent form a finished cartridge product to prevent liquid of theherb slurry from penetrating the herb tube and affecting the appearanceof the product. For example, the plant component in the tube can bedried by air drying or baking so that the plant component will adhere tothe tube during the drying process. The plant component can include aherb slurry that can be molded before being loaded into the tube 11.After the herb slurry is introduced into the mold, it is dried, and thenthe dried plant component is put into the herb pipe. The plant componentcan then be adhered to the tube 11 with a food grade adhesive.

As seen in FIG. 2, a heating body insertion opening 13 and a gas flowchannel 14 for inserting a heating body into the herb tube 11 are alsoformed as hollows within the plant component 12. The air flow passage 14is for the ingress and egress of airflow in the plant component 12during combustion. Specifically, the cartridge is required to be heatedto transpire the smoke, and the heating body insertion opening 13 isused to adapt the heating element in the smoking article, and the airflow passage 14 is to provide airflow and oxygen. Further, depending onthe shape of the heating body, the shape of the inserted heating bodyinsertion opening 13 may be different, and may be a circular shape, or along strip shape or the like. Similarly, the air flow passage 14 mayhave a herringbone shape, a cross shape, or a star shape. The heatingbody insertion opening may be in communication with the air flow channelor the heating body insertion opening may be provided with a spacerlayer in the middle of the air flow channel, and the two are disposed inparallel. The plant component poured into the herb tube is tightlycombined with the herb pipe, and is dried to form a cartridge. Since thecartridge can be directly ignited for smoking in the field ofcartridges, it is preferable not to omit the heating body insertionopening so as to provide improved airflow and combustion.

The plant component can be formed as a solid powder or granules that aresprayed onto or filled within the tube 11. Specifically, the plantcomponent 12 can be sprayed onto the inner wall of the herb tube 11, andthe plant component 12 can be adhered to the inner wall of the herbtube. Thereafter, the herb tube 11 and the plant component 12 are driedto form a finished cartridge product.

The heater insertion opening 13 is preferably cylindrically formed by acylindrical rod shaped mold that extends into the plant component 12when the plant component 12 is in wet slurry form. The flow channel 14is formed to connect to the heater insertion opening 13 also when theplant component 12 is in wet slurry form. The flow channel 14 may beformed as three vanes, each including a flow channel edge wall 22generally parallel to an external surface of the tube 11. Each vaneshaped flow channel 14 extends radially from the heater insertionopening 13 and connects at a flow channel connection 23. The flowchannel connection 23 may have a flow channel corner 26 formed at aninterface between the heater insert opening 13 and the flow channel 14.The flow channel edge wall 22 may form a plant component inside corner27 with either a flow channel right side wall 24 or a flow channel leftsidewall 25. The flow channel right sidewall 24 is preferably parallelto the flow channel left sidewall 25. The heater insert opening 13 mayinclude a heater insert opening beveled surface 24 that circumscribesthe heater insert opening 13. The plant component 12 can thus beconsumed beginning from the hollow portion formed by the flow channels14.

As seen in FIG. 3, the cooling baffle 15 may include a cooling baffleoutside edge 31 that engages in inside surface of the tube 11. Thecooling baffle 15 has a cooling baffle opening 32 2 allow airflowthrough the cooling baffle. A plurality of spiral baffles can comprisethe cooling baffle including an inside spiral 34 and an outside spiral33. The inside spiral 34 can be connected to the outside spiral 33 atspiral struts 35. The spiral struts 35 can be vertically formed toconnect the components of the cooling baffle. The cooling baffle 15 canbe formed as a plastic injection molded member and may have an openingfor receiving the perfuming component 16.

The plant component 12 generally has a plant component upper end 37 thatmay have a lining mesh 17, and the plant component 12 may also have aplant component lower end 36 that receives a frangible cover 18. Thelining mesh 17 can be formed as a filter assembly for filtering theairstream stream of smoke.

As seen in FIG. 4, the plant component 12 has solid powder or granulesof a certain gas permeability, and may be a fluffy structure at aninterface where the tube 11 and the plant component 12 are combined. Thefrangible cover 18 can be formed as a fragile sticker and can be pastedto the plant component lower end 36. The seal of the fragile sticker 18is preferably moisture resistant with sufficient structural integrity toretain particles of the plant component 12 from dislodging before use.When used, the smoking device can pierce the fragile sticker. Thefragile sticker may include a frangible cover flap 46 that extends alonga length of the tube 11.

The inner lining mesh 17 can be a porous material with gas permeability,structural support, and high temperature resistance to prevent thedetachment of solid particles without affecting the gas permeability ofthe cartridge. The lining mesh 17 can be a fabric or sponge for example,including lining mesh openings 45. The scented component 16 isoptionally installed, and the scented component 6 can be a foldedscented paper for enhancing the aroma of the smoke and enriching thebody and flavor of the smoke. The folded paper can have the shape of anM including a first fold 41, a sevenfold 42, and a third fold 43. Theperfume in component lower edge 44 can abut the lining mesh opening 45,or be separated by a gap from the lining mesh opening 45.

A perfume component 16 can be inserted into the tube 11. The perfumecomponent can be made of card stock with an exposed surface area fortransferring scent such as from essential oils, vape oils and the liketo the airstream 38. The perfume component 16 can act as a filter ifmade from porous material and disposed in the herb pipe. As seen in FIG.3, the shape of the cooling assembly can be a spiral. During smoking theextracted flue gas is relatively hot and the cooling component can beused to cool the flue gas before inhalation. The spiral coolingcomponent can increase the flue gas flow distance for better cooling.The filter assembly may be a sponge type porous filter to filter harmfulsubstances such as tar. The perfume component can be a folded flavoredpaper. The flavored paper can be used to enhance the aroma of the smokeand enrich the body and aroma of the smoke.

The method of making present invention includes three main steps as seenin FIG. 5:

Step S1: forming a herb tube or pipe; the herb tube is used to presetthe shape and size of the cartridge;

Step S2: providing a plant component, the plant component is loaded intothe herb pipe; the plant component is uniformly mixed to form acomponent filled in the herb tube and the plant component in the herbtube is not easily separated; and

Step S3: combining the plant component with the herb tube to form afinished cartridge product.

The first step includes defining the size of the cartridge by selectingthe tube which includes defining a diameter and a length of thecartridge. Preferably, a herb ingredient component can be made into aherb slurry, and the herb ingredient component can be loaded into theherb tube. The plant slurry can be made using a binder and plantcomponent such as herb to make a herb slurry.

The second step is loading the plant component into the tube which canbe by injection, or by mold forming and insertion. The plant componentcan be formed as a solid powder or granule, sprayed or filled in theherb tube, so that the tube and the plant component are bonded together.Finishing steps may include external appearance, insertion of the filteror cooling baffle and external cosmetic ornamentation.

The key feature of the present invention is to use a herb slurry withpreformed airflow passages. Also, the plant component upper end 37having a lining mesh 17 with small lining mesh openings 45 is animprovement for retaining the plant component 12. Also, the M shapedfolded paper perfume component 16 provides an additional filtering andmaterial retention capability.

The M shape is preferably formed as a pleat, and can be pleated withsmall additional folds to add additional surface area along its length.When pleated with additional folds, the overall shape can still be an Mshape.

1. A preformed herbal cartridge comprising: a tube, wherein the tube isconfigured with a length and diameter, wherein the length is greaterthan the diameter; a plant component sized to fit within the tube,wherein the plant component is formed from a hardened slurry, andwherein the plant component is securely lodged within the tube.
 2. Thepreformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plant component is a plantslurry injected into the tube while wet.
 3. The preformed cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein the plant component is a plant slurry pre-hardened in amold before mounting inside the herb tube.
 4. The preformed cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein the plant component further includes a heater insertionopening and a flow channel, wherein the heater insertion opening is incommunication with a flow channel, wherein the flow channel extendsalong the length of the tube, and wherein the heater insertion openingis parallel to the flow channel.
 5. The preformed cartridge of claim 1,wherein the plant component is formed from a sheet shape.
 6. Thepreformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plant component is in theform of a solid powder or granules, and wherein the plant component isformed by being sprayed onto an inside surface of the tube.
 7. Thepreformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tube is sealed with afrangible cover.
 8. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein thelining mesh is mounted within said tube to prevent detachment of saidherb component.
 9. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein thecartridge includes a cooling baffle, a filter assembly, or a perfumingcomponent.
 10. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the coolingassembly comprises a cooling baffle, wherein the cooling baffle includesan inside spiral and an outside spiral.
 11. The preformed cartridge ofclaim 1 wherein the plant component includes ground herb, ground hemp,flavoring, herb extract, and cellulose.
 12. A preformed cartridgecomprising: a tube, wherein the tube is configured with a length anddiameter, wherein the length is greater than the diameter; a plantcomponent sized to fit within the tube, wherein the plant component isformed from a hardened slurry, and wherein the plant component issecurely lodged within the tube; wherein the plant component is a plantslurry injected into the tube while wet, or wherein the plant componentis a plant slurry pre-hardened in a mold before mounting inside the herbtube; wherein the plant component further includes a heater insertionopening and a flow channel, wherein the heater insertion opening is incommunication with a flow channel, wherein the flow channel extendsalong the length of the tube, and wherein the heater insertion openingis parallel to the flow channel, wherein the cartridge includes acooling baffle, a filter assembly, or a perfuming component.
 13. Amethod of preparing a preformed cartridge including the steps of:forming a cartridge tube with a predetermined diameter and length;forming a plant component from a plant slurry, wherein the plant slurryhas a binder; injecting the plant slurry into the herb tube, wherein thebinder maintains the structural integrity of the plant component andbinds the plant component to the herb tube, wherein the plant componenthas a plant component upper end and a plant component lower end.
 14. Themethod of preparing a preformed cartridge according to claim 13, furtherincluding the step of forming a heater insertion opening and a flowchannel.
 15. The method of preparing a preformed cartridge according toclaim 13, further including the step of sealing the plant componentlower end with a frangible cover.
 16. The method of preparing apreformed cartridge according to claim 13, further including the step ofinstalling a lining mesh to the plant component upper end.